At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a world-class team of Sales Engineers in AI-driven Customer Experience.
- Company: Join Zendesk, the leading AI-powered Customer Experience platform.
- Benefits: Enjoy a flexible hybrid work environment and a culture of inclusivity.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to innovation and excellence.
- Why this job: Shape the future of customer experience with cutting-edge AI technology.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in sales engineering management with deep CX domain expertise.
Zendesk is looking for a visionary, highly technical, and dynamic Regional Vice President of Sales Engineering to lead, scale, and inspire our world-class team of Sales Engineers. Zendesk has evolved far beyond traditional ITSM and help desk ticketing; we are the world's leading AI-powered Customer Experience (CX) platform. In this role, you will bridge the gap between cutting-edge AI capabilities and enterprise business value. As a key partner to regional sales leadership, you will drive our expansion into net-new enterprise markets, optimize technical win rates, and ensure our customers accelerate their time-to-value. You must be a technical heavyweight, an inspiring leader of leaders, and a compelling public speaker capable of evangelizing the future of AI-driven CX to C-suite executives.
What You'll Be Doing:
- Strategic Market Expansion: Partner with Regional VPs of Sales to penetrate new enterprise markets and verticals. Architect the pre-sales blueprint required to land complex, large-scale enterprise accounts.
- Drive Technical Win & Adoption Rates: Establish rigorous pre-sales frameworks, proof of concept (PoC) and pilot standards, and custom demo strategies that directly improve technical win rates and lay the foundation for rapid post-sale user adoption.
- Team Development & Leadership: Attract, hire, and retain top-tier pre-sales talent. Cultivate a high-performance culture focused on technical excellence and consultative value selling. Mentor front line SE managers to become impactful leaders.
- AI & CX Thought Leadership: Serve as a primary technical evangelist for the region. Deliver compelling keynotes at industry events, lead executive briefings, and command authority during large-scale enterprise pitches by articulating Zendesk's advanced AI and platform capabilities.
- Cross Functional Collaboration: Act as a critical feedback loop between the field, Product, and Engineering teams to ensure our AI CX roadmap continues to solve the most pressing challenges of the world's largest enterprises.
Qualifications & Requirements:
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or an equivalent technical field is required. An advanced degree or MBA is a plus.
- Management Experience: 8 years of experience managing pre-sales/sales engineering teams, with at least 3 years of experience managing people managers (leading a multi-tiered organization) within a fast-growing, enterprise SaaS environment.
- CX Domain Expertise: Deep familiarity with the broader Customer Experience (CX) ecosystem, including CRM, contact centre technology (CCaaS), workforce engagement management (WEM), and digital engagement channels.
- Advanced Technical Acumen: Strong understanding of enterprise architecture, cloud infrastructure (AWS), data privacy/security compliance, complex integrations (REST APIs, webhooks), and a strong foundational grasp of Generative AI, Large Language Models (LLMs), and machine learning applications in CX.
- Public Speaking & Executive Presence: Documented history of public speaking, presenting at major industry conferences, or facilitating high stakes C-suite workshops. Exceptional ability to translate dense technical concepts into business outcomes.
- Commercial Mindset: Proven track record of successfully partnering with enterprise sales teams to capture market share, increase Average Contract Value (ACV), and accelerate sales velocity.
Why Join Zendesk?
At Zendesk, we are entirely focused on liberating companies from legacy, fragmented systems by providing an intelligent, unified AI CX platform. As an RVP of Sales Engineering, you will have the autonomy to shape our go-to-market technical strategy, lead an elite team of engineers, and directly influence how the world's biggest brands design their customer experiences.
Zendesk believes in offering our people a fulfilling and inclusive experience. Our hybrid way of working enables us to purposefully come together in person, at one of our many Zendesk offices around the world, to connect, collaborate, and learn whilst also giving our people the flexibility to work remotely for part of the week.
Zendesk is an equal opportunity employer, and we're proud of our ongoing efforts to foster global diversity, equity, & inclusion in the workplace. Individuals seeking employment and employees at Zendesk are considered without regard to race, colour, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, ancestry, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
RVP, Sales Engineering EMEA employer: Zendesk, Inc.
Zendesk is an exceptional employer that champions a fulfilling and inclusive work environment, offering a hybrid model that balances in-person collaboration with remote flexibility. As the RVP of Sales Engineering, you will lead a talented team while having the autonomy to shape technical strategies that influence major brands' customer experiences. With a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Zendesk fosters employee growth through mentorship and leadership opportunities, making it a rewarding place for those seeking meaningful careers in the evolving landscape of AI-driven customer experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land RVP, Sales Engineering EMEA
✨Leverage Your Network
In sales and business development, who you know can often be as important as what you know. Get involved with local networking events or industry meetups to connect with key players. Don't be shy—share your passion for the field and let folks know you're on the lookout for opportunities!
✨Show Your Skills Through Real-World Results
When targeting a full-time role like RVP, Sales Engineering EMEA at Zendesk, Inc., presenting tangible results from your previous sales experience can set you apart. Bring along case studies or examples of how you've closed deals or expanded accounts, and don't forget to showcase your problem-solving prowess. It’s all about quantifying your success!
✨Engage with Sales Communities
Dive deep into online sales communities, like Sales Hacker or LinkedIn groups dedicated to sales professionals. Engaging in discussions and sharing insights can boost your visibility and might just put you on the radar of hiring managers looking for fresh talent in business development.
✨Direct Applications Matter
While we all know the online application route, consider sending direct applications to companies you admire, including Zendesk, Inc.. Tailor your message to explain why you’re drawn to them and how you can contribute as a RVP, Sales Engineering EMEA. Sometimes, a personal touch can grab attention faster than a generic application!
We think you need these skills to ace RVP, Sales Engineering EMEA
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Those Sales Skills:In your CV and cover letter, highlight any previous sales or business development experience you have. Use numbers and examples to showcase your achievements – did you exceed sales targets or bring in new clients? Make those accomplishments shine!
Tailor Your Message for Zendesk, Inc.:When writing your cover letter, make sure to tailor your message specifically for Zendesk, Inc.. Show that you know the company’s mission and how your skills align with their goals in the sales landscape. This personalised touch will grab their attention!
Keep It Professional Yet Engaging:Sales is all about relationships, so while you want to maintain professionalism in your application, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Engage the reader and demonstrate your enthusiastic approach to sales and business development!
Proof of Performance:Include any relevant certifications or training you’ve undertaken in sales or negotiation tactics. If you’ve attended workshops or courses, list these to showcase your commitment to professional development. This extra touch can set you apart from the competition!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zendesk, Inc.
✨Know Your Sales Methodologies
Brush up on popular sales methodologies like SPIN Selling or Challenger Sales. Being able to discuss these techniques and how you've applied them will show Zendesk, Inc. that you understand the role and can hit the ground running in the sales game.
✨Demonstrate Your Deal-Making Skills
Prepare to share stories from your past experiences where you closed deals, overcame objections, or started new client relationships. We want to show Zendesk, Inc. that you’re not just about numbers but also about building lasting connections in business development.
✨Prepare for Role-Play Scenarios
In a full-time sales interview, don’t be surprised if they throw in a role-play exercise to test your pitching skills. Practising how you would pitch a product or handle an objection will help us shine in this simulation—think of it like a dress rehearsal for your future sales calls!
✨Align Your Goals with the Company’s Vision
Take a moment to reflect on how your career ambitions align with Zendesk, Inc.’s objectives. When we articulate how our personal growth ties in with the company’s goals, it shows commitment and a genuine interest in contributing to their success.
